Release Detail

July 27, 2005 - Connecticut Gov. Rell's Juggernaut Gains Speed,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
She Widens Lead Over Top Dem As Approval Soars

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell continues to rack up sky-high approval ratings and has
widened her lead over her strongest potential Democratic challenger for reelection,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Gov. Rell, who has topped the 70 percent mark in every poll since August, 2004,
gets a 79 - 9 percent approval rating today, virtually unchanged from an 80 - 10 percent
rating in an April 6 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In other measures of Rell's popularity, Connecticut voters say:

82 - 11 percent that she has strong leadership qualities;

87 - 5 percent that she is honest and trustworthy;

75 - 14 percent that she cares about their needs and problems;

86 - 4 percent that she has a likable personality;

64 - 21 percent that she shares their views on issues they care about;

79 - 6 percent that she works well with other leaders.

"Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell's job-performance numbers are stratospheric, and she
scores sky high on a series of personal traits - leadership, honesty, likability, you name
it," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.

A total of 66 percent of Connecticut voters are "very satisfied" or "somewhat
satisfied" with the way things are going in the state, with 33 percent who are "somewhat
dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied."

Jodi Rell is a "moderate" 57 percent of voters say and 75 percent say her politics are
"about right."

In an early look at the 2006 Governor's race, Rell beats State Attorney General
Richard Blumenthal 49 - 37 percent, compared to 46 - 43 percent April 6. Her margins
over other possible Democratic challengers are much greater:

63 - 20 percent over Lt. Gov. Kevin Sullivan;

61 - 22 percent over Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz;

61 - 22 percent over New Haven Mayor John DeStefano;

63 - 18 percent over Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy.

Blumenthal is the clear choice among Democratic primary voters, with 49 percent,
followed by 12 percent for Bysiewicz and 9 percent for DeStefano.

"After a year in office, Gov. Rell is in a strong position to win election to a full
term next year. She now holds a double-digit lead over the strongest potential Democratic
candidate, Richard Blumenthal. She is winning the vote of independents and a surprising
27 percent of Democrats as well," Dr. Schwartz said.

"Attempts to link her to the Rowland scandal are failing as 78 percent of voters say
her service as Lt. Gov. to John Rowland doesn't make a difference in how they will vote."

While he does not score well against Rell, Blumenthal gets a 73 - 14 percent approval
for the job he is doing as Attorney General.

From July 19 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,067 Connecticut registered voters
with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points. The survey includes 375 Democrats with a
margin of error of +/- 5.1 percentage points

The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New
Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.

For additional data-www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job
as Governor?

11. (If registered democrat)If the Democratic primary for governor were being
held today and the candidates were Richard Blumenthal, Susan Bysiewicz,
Kevin Sullivan, John DeStefano and Dan Malloy for whom would you vote?

22. Jodi Rell was Governor Rowland's Lieutenant Governor for about 10 years.
Does Jodi Rell's association with John Rowland make you more likely to vote
for her for governor, less likely to vote for her for governor, or doesn't
it make a difference?